Alabama will have to hold off a furious push from Ohio State for 4-star RB Nigel Newkirk

One of Alabama's highest-ranked recruits in its 2027 class is 4-star RB Nigel Newkirk, who committed to the Crimson Tide at the end of May. The Gainesville, Georgia native has been locked in with Alabama, making the trek over to Tuscaloosa for every home game this season.

But that hasn't stopped others from recruiting him. In particular, it hasn't stopped Ohio State, which has made Newkirk a high priority with just over a month to go until the early signing period.

Ohio State famously missed on 5-star David Gabriel Georges, who chose Tennessee over the Buckeyes. Newkirk has been one of their top consolation targets, and now they'll get a chance to pitch him during a campus visit.

Per Rivals, Newkrik will head to Columbus next weekend to take an official visit for Ohio State's home game against Oregon on November 7th:

Alabama RB commit Nigel Newkirk will take an official visit to Ohio State

Kalen DeBoer has done good work in increasing the talent level in Alabama's RB room. While things have been far from perfect on the ground this season, the addition of freshmen EJ Crowell and Trae'shawn Brown has certainly provided an influx of talent.

Newkirk, along with 3-star Tai Phillips, will only increase that talent for next year's roster, assuming Alabama can hold off Ohio State and keep Newkirk in this class.

Working in Alabama's favor is the connection the Tide has with Gainesville High School. In the 2026 cycle, DeBoer and the staff reeled in 5-star LB Xavier Griffin and 4-star DL Jamarion Matthews from that school. They've been a big part of Alabama's pitch to bring Newkirk to Tuscaloosa.

Newkirk has been dealing with an injury and has yet to play during his senior season. That hasn't stopped his recruitment from continuing to heat up. He rushed for 1496 yards and 19 touchdowns on 8.1 yards per carry during his junior season.

Newkirk ranks as the No. 226 overall player and a consensus 4-star recruit according to the composite rankings. He has long been a priority for the Alabama staff, which is looking to bring in two running backs for the second straight cycle in a continued effort to improve a ground game that has fallen off the face of the earth in the last couple of seasons.

Alabama fans will be justifiably nervous as he takes a trip to Columbus next weekend, but the Crimson Tide's staff has done a good job in building a relationship with Newkirk and would plan to get him back on campus for the final two home games of the season against Chattanooga and Auburn in late November.

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